The 30-year veteran fell to his death in an elevator shaft at the King Towers Apartments while responding with Heavy Rescue 14.

The report states that members of HR14 entered the fifth floor of the building, found the elevator shaft door at 6:10 a.m. and discovered that the lock -- which should have kept it closed -- wasn't working, allowing the door to open easily.

The firefighters marked the door in black marker with "Do Not Enter Open Shaft." Attempts to alert other firefighters via radio were unsuccessful due to high traffic, the report states.

The report notes that its believed that Gordon wasn't standing with the other members when the door was marked but was searching an apartment.

Approximately two minutes later, Gordon opened the marked door and fell into the shaft headfirst, according to the report. The report notes that "Smoke conditions were reported as moderate with visibility limited to 4-5 feet."

Investigators said Gordon fell three floors, or 22 to 23 feet, landing wedged between the elevator car and wall.

During a personnel check at 6:19 a.m., it was discovered that Gordon was missing.

Firefighters searching heard a low-air alarm from the elevator shaft and spotted a helmet atop the elevator car, which was stopped between floors 1 and 2 for an unknown reason, the report states.

A Mayday was issued for Gordon approximately 10 minutes after he is believed to have fallen, the report states. He was extricated by 6:37 a.m. and was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries a little more than an hour after he had first arrived at the fire scene, the report showed.

The report showed that the last contact with Gordon before his fall came about a minute earlier as he encountered another firefighter escorting two residents and asked who he was. The firefighter responded, then asked who he was.

"I'm Daryl Gordon," he replied, then headed back down the fifth floor hallway, the report stated.

Cincinnati Fire Department officials said the department will use the report to examine procedures and training. Dadosky said they will also look at why the door could be opened at all without the elevator car being on that floor.

Cincinnati investigators earlier concluded the fire's cause was accidental, ignited by food left unattended on a stove. Three other firefighters had injuries, and three residents were treated at hospitals, the report stated. A total 21 residents were rescued.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is also investigating the fatal fire.

Gordon joined the Cincinnati Fire Department June 30, 1985. He was also a 10-year employee of UC Health Air Care and Mobile Care unit.

Large crowds of Cincinnati officials, residents and firefighters from around the country turned out for services honoring the 54-year-old Gordon, a married father of two daughters.